UFC 144 Japan Play-by-Play: Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch

Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch

Round 1: Boetsch lands an outside leg kick to start the fight. They’re in the center of the cage. Boetsch drives forward with a combination. Okami lands a straight left. Boetsch misses with a winging right hand. Okami lands a stiff jab. Boetsch changes his stance. Okami doesn’t mind and lands another stiff jab. Boetsch moves in with a combination but Okami moves away. Boetsch looks for a takedown but Okami easily brushes it off. Inside leg kick lands for Okami followed by a hard right hook. A high kick by Okami glances off Boetsch’s head. Boetsch lands a nice inside leg kick. Okami’s jab has Boetsch bleeding. Boetsch lands a right hand. Okami lands a knee to the midsection of Boetsch. The round ends. MMAWeekly.com scores the round 10-9 for Okami.

Round 2: Okami is landing his jab at will. Big knee to the body landed by Okami. Boetsch fires off a high kick that’s blocked. Okami clinches and pushes Boetsch to the fence. Okami works for a takedown and eventually gets it. Boetsch looks to secure a guillotine choke. Okami gets free and goes to work in Boetsch’s half guard. Okami works to pass to side control but Boetsch keeps him in half guard for the moment. Okami lands punches to the body. Okami advances to the mount position. He briefly looks for a straight arm bar. He gives it up and postures up and lands punches. The round ends. MMAWeekly.com scores the round 10-9 for Okami.

Round 3: Boetsch’s corner tells him to be “super aggressive” between rounds. Okami lands his jab. Boetsch lands a big right hand. He has Okami hurt. Okami tries to cover up. Boetsch lands an uppercut and another. Okami slumps to the canvas. Referee Herb Dean stops the fight. What a comeback!